Tony Hughes: acquisition.

Sales performance improvement company Huthwaite International is targeting the legal sector as a prime market for expansion.

The Wentworth, Yorkshire-based behavioural change consultancy has seized what it describes as an ‘exciting opportunity’ by acquiring legal sector sales and business-development trainer, Ridley Fleming, to strengthen its professional services team, the firm announced on 25 May.

Significant gap

Huthwaite says it has identified a significant gap in the fast-maturing legal training market as forward-looking law firms focus on sales and business development initiatives in a highly competitive market.

‘As a result, we have observed a remarkably rapid increase in demand for sales, business development and consultancy training,’ managing director Tony Hughes tells ModernSelling.com.

Demand

He adds: ‘As part of this development, we believe there is a real demand for credible, research-based business development solutions which are tailored to meet the unique needs of the legal profession.‘

Huthwaite is planning to adapt its sales, negotiating, networking and client development skills programmes to make legal advisors more effective.

Global service

Peter Fleming, who together with Kate Fleming, has been appointed business director, legal services, Huthwaite International, believes that the consultancy’s global reach provides a further opportunity for growth in the legal services marketplace.

‘At a time when international firms are looking for a common approach to performance improvement across all parts of their operation, our unrivalled global service delivery network of skilled trainers and consultants can deliver the consistent high-quality training programmes they demand,’ he says.